How to Manage the DNS Zone at Cloudflare

Introduction: Understanding DNS Zones and Their Importance

DNS stuff always sounds more complicated than it actually is. It is simply an internet method of determining location. Similar to a situation where you enter a web address and your browser has to ask, “Hey, where do I find this?” And DNS Zone At Cloudflare is the thing that answers. It’s like the internet’s phonebook, except way faster and way more confusing if you’re looking at it for the first time.

Cloudflare is in between all of that. It works as an intelligent intermediary that aids in making it faster and ensuring junk remains out of the way. It is primarily used by people to improve performance and security, and they forget that after they start using Cloudflare to run their domain, DNS stuff is also present. So when you modify something on your host, you need to ensure that those DNS records are the same or your things simply cease to operate, and no-one ever tells you why.

It is easy to forget that all of this is so delicate. An incorrect digit in an IP or a missing entry, and in a flash your email is gone; and worse still, your entire site.

What is a DNS Zone

A DNS zone is simply a small control panel which informs the internet where to locate stuff which belongs to your domain. It’s like a list that says, oh, emails live on that server, or this web site lives on this server.

It can be thought of as follows: the entire folder is the DNS zone and files within that folder contain DNS records. Every record has a particular job- such as one record manages email (MX), the next record directs traffic to your site (A record) etc. However, they all are within the zone which makes everything organized.

In the absence of this configuration, your domain would have no idea where to redirect traffic or email. It would be like creating a letter without an address on the envelope. DNS helps your domain connect to the right services — whether it’s your website, email provider, or even security services. So yeah, it’s kind of the silent backbone of the internet.

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Cloudflare DNS Zone Setup Options: Configuration Choices

DNS can be configured with Cloudflare in a number of different ways. There is nothing too crazy but at least you know what you can get so you can select what actually fits your setup.

  • Zone transfers. They sound fancy, though, they are merely a matter of redundancy. You maintain Cloudflare and have one or more backup DNSs. When one of them goes down, the rest of them pick up the slack. You do not necessarily require it, but then again, when uptime matters to you, then it is good.
  • A full setup is preferred by most people. In this scenario, Cloudflare is your primary DNS authority. You point the nameservers of your domain to Cloudflare and maintain all your DNS records there; clean and easy.
  • Next is the partially configured setup also referred to as Managing CNAME Setup. Rather than delegating all of it, you just delegate certain subdomains to Cloudflare, such as www.yoursite.com, but retain your existing DNS provider. It can come in handy when you already have stuff configured in other places and are not really interested in moving it.
  • There is also the option of a subdomain configuration, in which only a portion of your domain is administered by Cloudflare (such as blog.yoursite.com). This is in special cases–perhaps you wish a more restrictive control in that particular subdomain.

Accessing and Navigating the Cloudflare DNS Dashboard

  • Login: Write in email and password. Assuming you have enabled two-factor authentication, do that, as well.
  • Choose an account and domain: Afterward, you will see a list of sites (or possibly a single one, when you are keeping it simple). Select the domain you would like to manage. Also, you should see that you are in the correct account beforehand, in case you have multiple ones.
  • Go to the section of DNS: The left-hand menu will have an option that simply reads DNS, you cannot miss it. Click that and you are in the DNS dashboard. All your records are stored here. You can add, edit, delete or do anything you want through this.
Managing DNS Records Step by Step Administration

Managing DNS Records: Step-by-Step Administration

Once you’re in the DNS section, the real stuff happens. It is here you can configure email accounts, redirect a domain or domain name to a server, or do any other cleanup you might need. It may seem to be somewhat technical initially, but once you learn the ropes, it is not so bad.

Viewing your current records

Upon landing on the DNS page, you would get a list of all the currently existing records. Consider it the address book of your domain, all site directions (A records) and email routing (MX) are found there.

The layout’s pretty clean. Columns such as Type, Name, Content, TTL and Proxy status will be seen. When something appears off or new, there is no need to get stress it will all fall into place as soon as you begin working with it.

Adding a new record

The user should press the Add record button (up to the top or down to the bottom of the list).

What you will need to include here is as follows:

  • Type – Pick what kind of record it is (A, CNAME, MX, etc.).
  • Name – This is like the subdomain or hostname (e.g., “www” or “mail”).
  • Value – The destination. It could be an IP address, a domain, or a mail server.
  • TTL – Time to Live. You can usually leave it on “Auto” unless you have a reason to change it.
  • Proxy status – If the little cloud icon is orange, traffic goes through Cloudflare. If it is gray, it goes through Cloudflare. For the speed and security advantage, use orange and when troubleshooting or a third party report use gray.
  • Click Save, and you’re good.

Related Article: Understanding Domain Connection: What It Is And How Long It May Take?

Editing or removing a record

Do you have any typo to correct or update? Locate the record in the list and press the right-hand icon that says Edit. Click that, then you can edit what you want, then save it.

To destroy an entry you need just to click the delete icon next to the entry.

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Conclusion: Best Practices for Efficient Cloudflare DNS Management

Managing the DNS zone on Cloudflare is not difficult. After you know what each setting does then the rest almost just falls into place. It has to do with knowing what the records your domain requires and ensuring that they are accurate.

Do not hurry, take time to change, and check anything that you are not sure about. One typo in a single IP, or the omission of a dot in a domain, can lead to headaches you do not want to contemplate later.

However, it is quite simple with the dashboard of Cloudflare. All in one place, and after using it once or twice, it all becomes pretty routine. All you need to do is to keep your records somewhere as a backup and then you will be okay.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Will I have to modify my nameservers to Cloudflare?

Yea, when you are setting up your entire system. Cloudflare will provide you with new nameservers to use instead of the ones at your registrar. It is a one-time affair and once that is completed, all your DNS configurations will be transferred to Cloudflare.

Why do my records have an orange and gray cloud next to it?

It is only the proxy feature of Cloudflare. Orange implies that the traffic passes through Cloudflare (you get the speed and security privileges). Gray bypasses Cloudflare and goes right to your server. You may turn it on or off, as you require.

Am I allowed to keep email records with Cloudflare?

Yep, but only the DNS part. Here you can configure your MX records, SPF, DKIM and all of that, but Cloudflare does not actually store or process email. It only tells the internet where to send it.

Should old DNS records which I do not recognize be deleted?

It depends. When you are not 100% sure what something is, then possibly back it up first before deleting. Deleting the bad record may destroy email or email subdomains randomly.

What would happen in case I make a mistake in a DNS record?

It is typically a temporary thing but may make things quit a bit, such as your web site crashing, or your email not arriving. Fix the record and allow it some time. When the right information is in place, most things tend to bounce back.

Is it possible to use Cloudflare merely as DNS, not the performance or security functionality?

Yes, absolutely you can. You can disable the proxy (that gray cloud) and Cloudflare will do the DNS part only. Others do it when they just need the dashboard of the DNS, or when there is a problem to debug.

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